The Colonial Theatre named winner of 2008 Phoenix Award
Pittsfield, Mass – The Colonial Theatre has been awarded the prestigious Phoenix Award by the Society of American Travel Writers. The Phoenix Awards were created in 1969 to recognize conservation and preservation efforts of individuals and organizations. SATW President Len Barnes said in 1998, “Because tourism leaves permanent ‘footprints,’ some harmful to the environment, some destroying the reasons for traveling, the SATW in 1969 created an award to recognize conservation and preservation efforts.”Since then, SATW has recognized conservation, preservation, beautification and anti-pollution accomplishments as they relate to travel. The Society's award was conceived by member and active conservationist Rosellen Callahan, and encouraged by then-president Bob Kane.
SATW members are invited to nominate individuals, communities, or organizations that have contributed to a quality travel experience through conservation, preservation, beautification or environmental efforts. Nominations, describing the evolution of worthy projects, are considered by the SATW Phoenix Committee and submitted with recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.
“World-class preservation projects are rarely successful as fully functioning enterprises serving broad audiences. We are very fortunate to be the stewards of The Colonial Theatre which has successfully combined these two realities in such an aesthetically pleasing way. We are thrilled and humbled to learn about this important recognition from the Society of American Travel Writers,” said David Fleming, Colonial Executive Director.
The Colonial Theatre was nominated this year by Ruth Bass, lifelong writer and journalist. She writes a weekly column in the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She has previously published a series of cookbooks including Tomatoes Love Herbs and Herbal Salads. She is an active member in the Society of American Travel Writers.
2008 Winners are The Colonial Theatre (Pittsfield, MA), Bedford Springs Resort (Bedford, PA), Tourism Cares (New Orleans, LA), Chambers Bay (Tacoma, WA) and The Quays (Manchester, UK).
About The Colonial Theatre - Located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts the Colonial is a Gilded Age architectural gem brought back to life as a performing arts center in the heart of the Berkshires. Following a $21 million restoration, the Colonial emerged in August of 2006 as a premier cultural center in the Berkshires, hosting more than 150 events annually, including Broadway shows, live music, comedy, film, international music and dance, family presentations, community events and operas broadcast from La Scala. The Colonial Theatre is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information, call the Colonial at (413) 448-8084, The Colonial Ticket Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit our website at www.TheColonialTheatre.org.
Awards Received: Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award Recipient, 2008; Society of American Travel Writers Phoenix Award, 2008; 7 Wonders of the Berkshires, Berkshire Eagle 2007 Contest; Best Live Theater, Berkshire Eagle Reader’s Choice "2007 Best of the Berkshires"; Best Theater Restoration, Metroland "2007 Best of the Capital Region".
